WING NOTES
May 2005
Australian Wing Riders Association (Qld) Inc
P O Box 719, Ashgrove
Queensland 4060
www.auswingriders.com
Management Committee
President
Bevan Bradford (07) 3822 3512
E-mail: Bevan.L.Bradford@mainroads.qld.gov.au
Vice President
Lionel Jacobson (07) 3265 6000
E-mail: darling3@bigpond.com
Secretary
Val Thomas (07) 3848 0498
E-mail: ashgrovestationery@uqconnect.net
Treasurer
Eric Madjeric (07) 3886 9845
E-mail: magic@auswingriders.com
Meetings normally held 1st Monday of every month.
Next meeting:
6th June 2005
7:30 pm
at
Australian National Hotel
Cnr Stanley St and Wellington Rd
East Brisbane
Wing Notes |
OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE AUSTRALIAN WING RIDERS ASSOCIATION (QLD) INC.
EDITOR:.............Clint Lovell
Phone: 07 3398 3437
Mobile 04 1819 2040
E-Mail: mail@auswingriders.com
WING NOTES is produced with the object of keeping members informed about matters of interest to AWRA members. A copy of each issue is sent to every financial member of the AWRA. Copies are also distributed to selected motorcycle dealers in the greater Brisbane area.
Submissions for inclusion in WING NOTES should be with the Editor no later than the Friday following the monthly meeting, i.e.: Friday after the 1st Monday of the month.
DISCLAIMER: Although WING NOTES will endeavour to reproduce submissions in their original form it reserves the right to edit submissions as it sees fit. Views expressed in contributed articles in WING NOTES are not necessarily those of the AWRA or the Editor. WING NOTES is produced with care, in good faith and from sources believed to be accurate at the time of writing.
The Editor WritesandSecretary’s Desk
Ride Report – Bikers Dream Goomburra
Ride Report – Postcards from Mexico
Social Report – Plainlands Hotel
Meeting Minutes (Members Only)
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Hello All
Well here it is, my last Wing Notes, for a while at least. It’ll mean a change in my routine, no last minute phone calls to get that story or report. Maybe I’ll GET one of those calls. I’ll try not to.
Bevan will most likely be taking over Communications duties from next month, so look out for changes. I hope so. Too much of the same thing is not so good.
Please make sure you help him out by doing stories and articles so he can put the magazine together. I’m sure he would also appreciate getting them on time.
Contributions for this magazine can be emailed to mail@auswingriders.com
Clint
The Secretary’s Desk
Hi Everyone.
Busy month coming up and looking forward to our A.G.M. weekend at Kingscliff. Trust you have made your bookings with the Drifters Resort, and bought plenty of tickets in our very busy Raffle. The prizes are awesome with many thanks to our Victorian delegate – John Gilbert! Our outgoing President is looking forward to his new found freedom with our club, and after such a long stint of guiding our club to the great strong and social group we are – I wish Bevan and Therese long and relaxing rides with us. My desk is looking tidy at the moment, and my cases will be full for the A.G.M. Thommo will be polishing our bike on the week-end to dazzle you all for the ride to our Camp Oven Lunch on the 15th – look forward to seeing you all soon.
Valerie – 5/5/05
This Month’s strange photo |
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Something useful to do with spare Harley parts |
Well, there I was, Sunday night, Mother’s Day, Clint has just rung to ask where this column is. “It’s your last one”, he says. Bugger, you’d think I would have remembered that. Nothing to stir the thoughts this month, just reflections
It’s been an interesting few weeks for me. A couple of months ago I talked about buying motorcycles. Well, I’ve just been through it again. Matthew, my eldest decided he would take up riding. His experience; mucking around riding my old XL250 and a number of trips between Barcaldine and Yeppoon, to and from boarding school on the Goldwing. It seems that once it gets in the blood, it’s there forever, eh.
We were looking for something different but again I was amazed at the compressed nature of the market. First bike, just started full-time work, so we were at the lower end of the price range. Unless we were buying something that needed a lot of work, and we looked at some, the difference in price between a 1983 and a 1995 model was often only a few hundred dollars. Matthew wanted a cruiser but you could buy later model sports bikes often cheaper than the older cruisers. Knowledge he is king and I was in uncharted territory. Grey imports, difficulty in obtaining parts, no experience of the models. Matthew soon learnt that instead of asking “What did you think of it?” he’d ask, “Forgetting that it is a cruiser, what did you think of it?” We found one, thanks to our newest member Geoff, who has just purchased a GL1200, a nice XV750 Virago.
I have enjoyed my time as President but it is time for the Association to move on. I was just reading an article the other day on the problems caused in private business and government when one person stays leader too long. Fresh blood is needed to prevent stagnation. These columns have enabled me to espouse my views on some subjects and attempt to create some discussions. I intend to continue this as Communications Officer; I hope I can elicit some responses from members.
Keep the shiny side up
Bevan
Click Photos for a larger version
We’d heard about it, talked about it, but few in the group knew where it was or had been there. We knew it was at Goomburra, but unless you’re from the area, the question was “Where’s Goomburra?”
With a ride to organise and not having the time to pre-run it, Biker’s Dream seemed like a good idea. With Lionel and Mary unavailable, an e-mail to Sandy from Northern Gateway soon got me the necessary contacts and yep, the day was available and lunch could be arranged. Estimate of numbers? let’s say about 20 or so. I would ring to confirm actuals before we leave.
A Saturday call for the loan of a working shockie saw Rob and Jane meet us at the church where Therese and I had a family wedding that afternoon. So, when Sunday 17th April dawned just after we went to bed, we were glad of the later start. I had to pick up Trevor and the 1200 Bandit and we were late there and even later by the time we got underway. Bet you’re surprised that we might be late.
We weren’t too late arriving at the BP Blacksoil and there were already a few Wings parked. And they just kept rolling in! By start time, 17 Goldwings, a Yamaha and a Suzuki, 34 people and yet to collect Rob and Jane; “Yep” says Dean, “We can cater for that many. Will you want the bar open?” I thought about saying no, then I thought, “Is the Pope a Catholic?”, then I got confused because there was no Pope, then I figured my well-being was worth more than a joke so I said yes.
What a sight, I don’t recall a bigger club ride and there were at least two other bikes missing that would normally be with us. Getting everyone onto the highway was a feat in itself then on to Rosewood via Walloon, through Forrest Hill and Laidley to Gatton, the original planned bitumen site for smoko, but someone suggested the picnic spot on the Maa Maa Creek road. Through Gatton without losing anyone then onto the Maa Maa Creek road for an enjoyable run up through the hills. Well, it was until we got caught behind a slow car. Luckily, the rest area appeared shortly after. Into the rest area, and oh dear, no rain for some time and all the bikes got a fine coating of dust. I can’t be held responsible for Acts of God.
After a relaxing coffee break, it was back on the bikes. Hard to keep track of so many bikes, so, after what seemed like a reasonable time, I moved the group off. A few radio calls later identified that Clint, at tail, and Turbo weren’t with us. The explanation was that Turbo couldn’t get his coat done up. Obviously some early childhood training gone astray but I think it had more to do with creating an opportunity to play catch-up through the remainder of the hills.
All back together and onto the Warwick – Toowoomba road, through Allora to the Goomburra turn-off. Now; I remembered 30 klms and past the 2nd grid was mentioned in the instructions, but was that from Allora or the turn-off? Who cares, I’ll know it when I get there. Of course I was well past both points when I remembered so I really didn’t know the speedo reading I was measuring 30 klms from anyway. We came to the Goomburra Hall on an intersection where the road veered left, or right, or straight ahead. Quick thinking said right was the way home, left would mean braking to turn with 19 bikes behind me and every rider admiring the scenic views of the mountains and countryside, so straight ahead seemed the best option. The choice made, we eventually found the first grid, then a few head a cattle. Eventually the second grid appeared and 200 meters past that, the turn-in to Biker’s Dream. More gravel but who cares, they can’t complain, I warned of this and the bikes were already dusty.
What a great place. Out in the bush, just a stone throw from the Goomburra State Forest; quiet, silence, birds singing and no traffic. With the bikes parked, we were met and made welcome by Dean, Darryl and Verna, the bar was opened and everyone just relaxed. What a great lunch break, sitting back talk to friends, making new ones with those joining us for the first time, lunch cooked and eaten in a relaxing environment. An inspection of the facilities bought positive comments from everyone and the inevitable “We must come back and do an overnight some time”.
All relaxed, the raffle run and won, almost time to go; where’s Turbo? I thought it fair to give him time to get his coat on so he could start with the rest of us. Back to Goomburra and turn left through farming country to Gladfield and onto the Warwick – Brisbane road. Over Cunningham’s Gap to Aratula for fuel and reorganisation for the last leg of the ride. Here, someone generously paid for another rider’s fuel. Well, she was generous until she realised what she’d done and that her hubby had not actually put any fuel in their bike yet.
All resolved; it was farewell to those going straight back home. The rest of us headed off on the winding route toward Boonah and Beaudesert. At Beaudesert, the group again split with some heading for Brisbane and various drop-off points and the rest heading on to the Gold Coast.
What a great day and a great ride. Feedback was that everyone enjoyed themselves. Plans are underway for a weekend overnight ride to Biker’s Dream on the weekend of 24/25 September.
See you there.
Click Photos for a larger version
Well hello from down here in Victoria, the following is some postcards from over the border and the happenings of the crew in the place to be, “Victoria.”
First Victorian Dinner 13 Apr 05
The first dinner was held on the 13 April at La Pancetta in Glen Waverley with a small turn up. TimandLyn’s new Jeep broke down earlier in the day and was still waiting for jeep assist to pick them and the car up so unfortunately missed the night. We got to meet Doug and Preeta who have settled in Victoria for the time being and also Graeme a possible new member came along to have a good night. The food was good and company was excellent which meant that a good night was had by all. We hope to hold the next one at the Nachos Cantina at 21 Glass Street in Essendon.
Reg Jeffery ride 17 Apr 05
Reg Jeffery holds a ride each year for his customers and the two that I have been one were excellent rides this year again Reg and the boys did not let us down with about 100 bikes on the day and an unusual sight of about six yellow wings and a larger amount of other coloured wings then last year. We headed off towards the mountains and the black spur and how could any one get bored or not be impressed when riding through this area of Victoria, one of the best riding roads and the tall mountain ashes take your breath away each time you ride it.
Arriving in Yea for a break and refuel we head towards Seymour and out to Tooborac and on towards Monagetta and down into Melbourne with the ride finishing at the Honda riding centre. HART
After a BBQ, put on by the scouts we headed to the car park for Reg’s prize giveaway, a lot of bike gear donated by various business and sponsors. As I thought I did not enter in the show and shine part of the day I was not paying much attention when they were giving out the Best of prizes but my attention soon got diverted when I heard my rego number called as the best bike on the day, you would have thought with so many YELLOW wings one of them would have taken it out, I was a bit chuffed to take it out as the only truly red wing Ha ha ha (cannot miss a chance to fly the flag there Clint).
With a prize worth around $470 it was a good day out.
Thanks to Reg and the Guys for again running a great day
Gippsland Ride 23 April 05
The day started as a bit of a foggy day with lots of traffic out and about due to being a long weekend. We arrived at the start point with every one heading out this side of the city deciding to stop at the MacDonald’s we decided for the start point.
After all arriving, the four bikes headed out to the Turra Bulga National Park, Steve O’Neil and his son Josh turned up on an Orange 1800 to see if the AWRA was worth joining we did not disappoint them. Heading towards Koo wee rup we then turned to Lang Lang and got off the hwy and headed to Poowong (don’t you love these names; they tell me they come from QLD) good road worth taking again. From Poowong we turned towards Korumburra and on through Leongatha, Welshpool, towards Yarram for lunch. With smoke from the fires on Wilson Promontory it was a bit hard to get a good view of the water but still good roads and nice country.
Arriving in Yarram we stopped at Paul the pie man for lunch and the pies were great Denny was not with us to test the Custard tarts so we will leave that for another ride.
After lunch with Brian’s help we headed up towards Turra Bulga, the road got narrower and winder and the ferns were right to the side of the road, temperature was dropping slightly, the road was in good condition but no room for to much tree gazing as you had to keep your eyes alert for oncoming traffic. Half way up we stopped at the Tarra Falls where a couple of the blokes added to the water flow.
We moved on up the mountain and took a break at the top where we all had an ice cream; there we meet a couple who had come from Traralgon on a little Honda 250? and of course we all turned up and parked around it with the wings, lots of comments about taking the keys out, and I think the poor bloke got a hammering on the way home as the lady was complaining about how cold it was on the little bike and one of us, of course, indicated we did not have that problem because of the heater.
As Brain and Edith have a caravan in Welshpool and it was long weekend we said our goodbyes and headed home. The time was getting late so we decided to ride straight back home with no stops as each peeled off to our home locations so ended another great ride in beautiful country defiantly worth another ride maybe going the other way however we will leave that for another day.
Total distance about 360 km
To the riders on the day thanks for the ride and making it another great day
Click here to see more photos from this trip
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Having a positive attitude for no rain we made our way with son Robert in tow on his GSXR600 to Ilana’s Rock n Roll Diner at Waterford West.
After a little while RustyandMaree, LarryandAnnette, ValandThommo, JeffandJulie and BillandMary arrived. After a little look around it was time to leave. LarryandAnnette as tail end Charlie in the car (it has a CB for those who don’t know). No rain as yet. Out through Logan Village, BeaudesertandBoonah. A short rest stop at Peaks Crossing and off again through to Yamanto, Rosewood - Robert left us here to leave the bikeandcome the rest of the way in the car with his partner - onto Laidley and finally to Plainlands. TurboandWendy were already waiting and the rest of our family joined us as well.
Seating on the verandah had been booked as you can order everything there, and we were all in high spirits as usual after a lovely ride. As it was a little bit of longer ride to dinner there were comments about tummies rumbling, and how much longer from BillandThommo and if you listened closely above the purring of wings yes you could hear them! Rain threatened a couple of times but that was all. The food (plenty of it) service (with a smile) and company were excellent. Bob Porter (owner of the hotel) said it was good to see us having such a good timeandthat’s what it’s all about.
Thank you to those who came.
BearandJayne
Social Coordinator – Wendy Beddows Ph: 07 – 3812 4166
e-mail: nnikki69@optusnet.com.au Turbo's Mobile 0421 304 144
RIDE DATES: Unless otherwise arranged, rides will be on the 3rd weekend of the month, and Social rides, the following weekend, with other social events as announced through the year.
** Ride Leaders: Please check the details of your ride and let me know of any changes. Ride leaders are also asked to organise 2 raffle prizes for their ride. Suggested value approximately $10.00 each. Raffle tickets will be made available from Eric.
IMPORTANT: Even if you have not finalised the details of your ride, just supply the start timeandlocation, the general direction of the ride, and the meal arrangements.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY ON RIDES:
It is the personal responsibility of each motorcyclist to be responsible for at least the following;
The roadworthiness of your vehicle (including trailer)
That you are in a fit condition to control the vehicle, (including trailer)
Make sure you have a full tank of fuel before departing on a ride.
That you obey all the traffic rules and ride in a safe manner.
That you ride in a considerate manner that does not endanger, or unnecessarily inconvenience other road users.
To be correctly attired for safe motorcycling.
To have fun and enjoy the day, and the company.